John Thomas stepped down from the bleachers at the Saugatuck High School auditorium after an almost 2-hour presentation Tuesday night.

He came to get his questions answered about the possible merger of Saugatuck and Douglas by Eric Lupher of the nonprofit Citizens Research Council.

“He did a great job being neutral,” said Thomas who lives in Saugatuck and has a business in Douglas.

That’s just what the Citizens Research Council wanted.

“Whether you agree or disagree, I applaud you for talking about it,” Lupher said. “This rarely happens in Michigan.”

The group was hired by both cities to study the issue that will be on the Nov. 5 ballot. When it comes down to deciding, people won’t necessarily consider the possible financial savings but instead focus on what it means to live in their community.

“People appreciate place,” Lupher said. “The question is, what does it take to create a sense of place. ... It’s up to you to decide.”

Saugatuck and Douglas don’t fall into the usual reasons for consolidation. Both municipalities are financially secure — “Your communities are fairly property rich,” Lupher said — have great name recognition around the world and can accommodate future growth. Both towns already share fire, police, water and library services. Consolidation could help land planning and harbor maintenance, though stewardship of the Kalamazoo Lake and river would “marginally improve,” the report said.

Eliminating redundant government operations is where the savings come from.

The study concluded a consolidation would save both communities about $467,000. The savings come from eliminating duplication of city positions, for example, cutting two city managers to one, and increasing efficiency such as plowing of roads.

Six positions would be eliminated, including a city manager, clerk, treasurer and department of public works director. A full-time public works employee and a parks worker would also be eliminated.

The report recommended the new city operate out of the city hall in downtown Douglas and consider repurposing or selling the Saugatuck city hall. Some in the crowd suggested acquiring a new city hall on Blue Star Highway.

“Go for it,” Lupher said, saying he looked only at the least expensive options for the buildings.

The savings are not guaranteed to go back to the individual taxpayer, Lupher said. The new consolidated city government would determine how to use any savings and could decide to put the money into improved services.

The report did not list the one-time costs of consolidating, such as elections, a charter commission, negotiating new contracts, drafting new ordinances and paying unemployment for those laidoff workers, but Lupher quickly estimated those costs below a million dollars.

Page 2 of 2 -
“Lawyers are going to love you for this,” he said. Legal costs were not estimated.

The state will have grants available for reimbursement.

“The state is watching,” he said, and would put Saugatuck and Douglas “to the front of the line” for money.

How the $3.7 million road bond debt in Saugatuck would be handled is unclear. The debt could be extended across the new city or left solely with the residents in what was Saugatuck.

For consolidation to happen, residents in Saugatuck and Douglas must approve it on Nov. 5. If the majority of voters in either municipality vote it down, the issue is over.

If the issue passes, a charter commission will be set up and work on the city unified city would begin. The final charter must also be approved by the voters.

Upcoming debate

The Tuesday night event in Saugatuck was an information meeting. A forum about the possible consolidation of Saugatuck and Douglas is next month.

WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8

WHERE: Saugatuck High School cafeteria, 401 Elizabeth St., Saugatuck

WHO: The League of Women Voters of the Holland Area will moderate the forum between the pro-consolidation group Consolidated Government Committee and the opposition group Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities. Questions from the audience will take up most of the time.